Man dies after becoming unwell in custody - Essex Police, November 2017
On 19 November 2017, Essex Police stopped a man in South Ockendon. He was searched, then his vehicle was searched, and he was arrested for possession of class A drugs with the intent to supply. The man was taken to Grays custody suite and placed in a holding cell. A short time later the man became unwell. The custody sergeant called for a medical professional to see him. The medical professional and the officers carried out first aid, and an …
Recommendations
2 totalOur investigation into the death of a man following his detention at Grays Police Station found that there was not full CCTV coverage of the holding cell in which he had been placed. This was because the CCTV camera in the holding area did not include, within its coverage, sight into the individual holding cells. This issue was also highlighted by the coroner following the inquest into the man's death, who issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, noting it is essential to see what is happening within the holding cells when a prisoner is detained in one of them. Essex Police should ensure that there is comprehensive CCTV coverage of all holding cells in Grays Police Station. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes
Accepted action: This recommendation is wholly accepted by Essex Police. Mitigation for the temporary lack of camera coverage across Essex Police custody facilities is currently in place through the use of signage for officers and staff indicating coverage gaps and encouragement of the appropriate use of extensive Body Worn Video devices for evidence capture. A wider programme of CCTV replacement and upgrade throughout the custody facilities, resulting from the October 2017 review, is scheduled to commence in 2020. The works required by this recommendation will take priority in that programme and have been commenced. ‘Comprehensive’ coverage is interpreted as full video, unobstructed views (without audio recording), in every holding cell in operational custody facilities. Essex Police are currently trialling two methods (dual angle and domed view cameras) to deliver this. The trial is taking place at Southend custody, following which, a data protection impact assessment will be completed for all new required camera sites to run concurrently with the procurement process. The work programme will take place in the following order to be cognisant of wider estate works across the force and in order to maintain the operational availability of custody facilities to service arrest demand. Southend, Grays, Basildon, Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow and then Clacton. All works on CCTV coverage of holding cells are anticipated to be completed by April 2020 for operational custody facilities.
An investigation into the death of a man following his detention at Grays Police Station found that there was not full CCTV coverage of the holding cell in which he had been placed. This was because the CCTV camera in the holding area did not include, within its coverage, sight into the invidual holding cells. A previous IOPC investigation, into an incident in which a man self-harmed in a holding cell in Basildon Police Station, found that there was not full CCTV coverage of the holding cell in which he had been placed. Following that investigation, the IOPC recommended the CCTV camera at Basildon Police Station needed to be moved, or the direction it was pointing repositioned, to see wider coverage of the holding cell area. In October 2017, Essex Police stated that they would look to review CCTV coverage within these areas as part of a CCTV improvement plan being undertaken. Essex Police should ensure that there is comprehensive CCTV coverage of all holding cells in Essex Police custody suites. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes
Accepted action: This recommendation is wholly accepted by Essex Police. Mitigation for the temporary lack of camera coverage across Essex Police custody facilities is currently in place through the use of signage for officers and staff indicating coverage gaps and encouragement of the appropriate use of extensive Body Worn Video devices for evidence capture. A wider programme of CCTV replacement and upgrade throughout the custody facilities, resulting from the October 2017 review, is scheduled to commence in 2020. The works required by this recommendation will take priority in that programme and have been commenced. ‘Comprehensive’ coverage is interpreted as full video, unobstructed views (without audio recording), in every holding cell in operational custody facilities. Essex Police are currently trialling two methods (dual angle and domed view cameras) to deliver this. The trial is taking place at Southend custody, following which, a data protection impact assessment will be completed for all new required camera sites to run concurrently with the procurement process. The work programme will take place in the following order to be cognisant of wider estate works across the force and in order to maintain the operational availability of custody facilities to service arrest demand. Southend, Grays, Basildon, Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow and then Clacton. All works on CCTV coverage of holding cells are anticipated to be completed by April 2020 for operational custody facilities.